[1.3.0] Crashes when game is focused

from Stardock Forums

When I open the game in the background (like with a web browser at the current focused window) it'll start playing the video and I can even see a bit of it through my start menu.  As soon as I minimize everything but the game or just click on the game in my start menu, it freezes and crashes.  I've attempted to run it with or without Steam running, both as administrator and otherwise.  Any ideas?

i7 2500k

8GB RAM

GTX680

19,619 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Yes, I just bought the game as a part of Midweek Madness, and I'm having the same issue. I can't even get it to start up. It shows up as a black screen, Windows tells me it stopped working, and the game crashes and exits.

Same specs as OP.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top


Last I had read the game wasn't OPTIMIZED for 64bit anything NOR SUPPORTED. Most of the time though crashes are from video cards or sound cards. I'd get an ATI RAEDON card if I was youse guys a lot less hassle and I've been happy ever since I changed over from Neverworksinvida. lol

Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

The game does support 64 bit systems.  It just doesn't take advantage of the extra memory available.  I am running Windows 8 64 bit, 8 gigs RAM, with a Radeon 7850 graphics card, and it runs like a dream.  I can play for hours without a crash.  Problems like what you're experiencing are typically related to the graphics card.  I suggest sending an e-mail to Stardock; they are generally pretty responsive and helpful trying to troubleshoot issues.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

You will want to report "Debug.Err" when crashing, and also the crash-zip if possible.

Its all explained in "How to report an issue" here:

https://forums.elementalgame.com/415301

Sincerely
~ Kongdej

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting ErikCurre, reply 3
The game does support 64 bit systems.  It just doesn't take advantage of the extra memory available.  I am running Windows 8 64 bit, 8 gigs RAM, with a Radeon 7850 graphics card, and it runs like a dream.  I can play for hours without a crash.  Problems like what you're experiencing are typically related to the graphics card.  I suggest sending an e-mail to Stardock; they are generally pretty responsive and helpful trying to troubleshoot issues.

WHile the game certainly "works" on 64bit systems it doesn't mean it is SUPPORTED by Stardock. THis was something that came about when Elemental first came out that there was no SUPPORT for 64bit OS's. Now it's been 3 years since that time and they MAY have changed their tune on SUPPORT but from last I read there was NO SUPPORT for 64bit OS systems.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting willie, reply 5
WHile the game certainly "works" on 64bit systems it doesn't mean it is SUPPORTED by Stardock.

The recommended system requirements for FE state "64-bit version of Windows". Does this mean, that Stardock wants us to use a version of windows they are not supporting? ;)

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Gaunathor, reply 7



Quoting willie sanderson,
reply 5
WHile the game certainly "works" on 64bit systems it doesn't mean it is SUPPORTED by Stardock.The recommended system requirements for FE state "64-bit version of Windows". Does this mean, that Stardock wants us to use a version of windows they are not supporting?

As I said when Elemental:War of Magic first came out 3 years ago 64 bit OS was NOT supported. Things change of course but as we can see some are having issues with it still. ;)

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

We support 64bit Windows.  In fact we prefer it, everyone on the team is running 64bit.  We are a 32bit process but 64bit operating systems can run 32bit applications (the opposite isn't true).  Most of the applications you and I are running on our 64bit OS's are 32bit applications.

 

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

@[TAI] Sean: I've checked out your debug log, it doesn't indicate an error.  I'm a bit confused by your OP.  Are you saying that the hang/crash only happens when you start the game when you have window focus on something else?  Does it start normally if you start it in focus?  Is it losing window focus when it starts?  Do you have any video recording software running (fraps, etc)?

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Derek, reply 9
We support 64bit Windows.  In fact we prefer it, everyone on the team is running 64bit.  We are a 32bit process but 64bit operating systems can run 32bit applications (the opposite isn't true).  Most of the applications you and I are running on our 64bit OS's are 32bit applications.

 

That's kind of interesting because when War of Magic came out there was NOTHING about 64bit OS in the RECOMMENDED specifications of tha game like there is in FE.

http://www.impulsedriven.com/elemental

Just Windows and at that time Windows was more popular in 32bit than it was 64bit. Now wasn't it? ;)

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

The game window doesn't get focus unless I manually tell it to.  It starts as a window behind all windows, think of it as taking over my desktop wallpaper and you have an idea.

Let's say I have the Steam window open, and press "Play".  The game starts behind the Steam window and even behind my start menu.  I can actually see it through my aero start menu, and sometimes the intro videos will even play with sound and everything.  But as soon as I focus the window via any means, the video stops, the sword mouse icon appears for a few seconds, then turns into 7's "wait" mouse icon, followed shortly by a "This program is not responding, end now?" type of prompt.

Yesterday when I was testing it, it stayed at the splash screen and never started videos.  The day before I was able to play a little bit after about 10 experiences of what was typed out above.

What is most puzzling is the lack of a crash.  Come to think of it I will disable TeamViewer and other such programs when I get home.  It usually just forces games into a windowed mode if it effects them at all, and this game may be struggling with that since it's in a full screen window.

Reply #13 from Elemental Forums Top

That is interesting.  Let me know if disabling TeamViewer helps.

ps, awesome avatar!

Reply #14 from Elemental Forums Top

I purchased the game today because of the Midweek Madness and because Stardock has a proven track record of fantastic games. Been playing Gal Civ for many many hours so I am definitely looking forward to this. I'm just about to set things up properly and once that is done I'm gone for the weekend!  :D

Reply #15 from Elemental Forums Top

Have fun!

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Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Culprit seems to have been EVGA Precision X.  Go figure.  Well, now I can play.

Though, I do feel silly for not taking such obvious trouble shooting steps.

Reply #17 from Elemental Forums Top

Thanks for the feedback, Im letting the team know to keep a look for it in the future.

Reply #18 from Elemental Forums Top

I'm still having this issue, and I don't have the program listed by OP on my computer at all.

My debug file is here: http://www.mediafire.com/?bzt7z24kznbrm66

When I start the game, it gives me the usual prompt with my key from Steam. After pressing Play, it opens a black screen that sits for a few seconds before popping the "Elemental: Fallen Enchantress has stopped working" window as it tries to find a solution. About ten seconds later, the window switches to another that only gives me the option to quit. I can't even access the game to give an idea of when it's stopping.

If it helps, this happens whether or not I have the window focused.